Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allRight of the buyer to terminate the SPA and request refund for delay in handover


1
Q: I purchased an off-plan property in 2017 in Dubai.
Handover per the SPA was early 2018. I served a formal request for handover in 2018, however, the builder used 1-year extension as per the SPA and revised the handover date to early 2019.
Then in 2019, I enquired about the handover, but the builder used an additional 1-year extension as a remedy period. Again I enquired in 2020, construction was incomplete but the seller/builder promised mid-2020.
Now in 2021, the building is near to completion (but still not certified). However, I have raised a formal request to claim a refund as per the contract due to delay.
Can I personally go to the Dubai Courts service center and make a legal notice to the builder. I am a non-Emirati, however, a resident.
Please advise



Mar 29, 2021
152
Cases where the delay in property handover call for a full refund
1
Q: Hi,
I am seeking advice on property purchase.
In 2016, I purchased a studio with a completion date of Q2 2018, for 500k, with 70% paid at handover. So far, I have paid 140k+21k registration fees. It has been over 2 years since completion date with no signs of it completing till Q1 2021.
Due to this delay, I would like to inquire my legal right if I were to file a case and request for a refund from the developer.
The SPA states in case of force majeure, they can extend the completion by 1 year, after which they have an additional year under the seller's remedy period.
However, I have not received an email stating a force majeure, therefore, I did not issue a written notice.
Although, I have sent them numerous emails stating that I would like to cancel my unit and get a refund, however, I have been denied this request. They had said all such requests sent by email do not count.
Can someone please guide me, whether I should file a case or not?
Thank you!

Oct 11, 2020
456
Recovering all payments after delaying property delivery twice

2
Q: Dears,
I've purchased an off-plan property in Dubai in 2016 which was due for handover in Dec 2017 but still incomplete (approx. 80%).
70% has been paid from a purchase price of 1.35 million. By contract, I am entitled to 8% compensation from the amount already paid since the end of 2018 (sunset).
Early this year, I signed an amendment with updated payment terms with new sunset at the end of 2020. As of January 1st, am I entitled to cancel the purchase in its entirety and recover all payments done?
Thanks and regards,


Dec 15, 2020
335
How to get refund from developer for never starting the project?


1
Q: How difficult or easy is it to obtain a refund from the developer who took installment payments but never made a project, then refused to refund funds for nearly 10 years?



Oct 5, 2021
287
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 1
This Law establishes interim property register in which sale contracts, off-plan sales, and other off-plan legal dispositions of real property are registered prior to inclusion in the property register maintained by Dubai Land Department.
Aug 14, 2008
4823
Law No. (9) of 2009 Amending Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 2
The provisions of this Law supersede articles (2) and (11) of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.
Apr 12, 2009
3113
Executive Council Resolution No. (6) of 2010 Approving the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 3
This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.
Feb 14, 2010
5121

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337 337 answers •
View allCan a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
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I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
92
Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 0
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
113
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
Hi
I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account.
Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money.
But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage.
Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident.
How can I follow the civil case there?
That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Dec 24, 2024
55
Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 0
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
77

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250 250 answers •
View allCan my work visa be canceled if I have ongoing loan and credit card payments? 0
Hello,
I am switching jobs soon.
Can my current work visa be canceled if I still have a personal loan and credit cards that I am making payments on?
Feb 24, 2025
179
The public prosecution appealed a judgment to increase the fine I already paid. What do I do now? 0
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your time.
The public prosecution appealed my judgment (a fine that I satisfactorily cleared) and requested increasing the fine.
Can you please explain what happens during a criminal case appeal hearing for me as a defendant?
Will I be asked questions?
Is the hearing just for the Public Prosecution to present their appeal to the judge, and I do not need to give a response?
Thank you again for your time.
Feb 7, 2025
132
My husband has been arrested in a drug case in Ajman for two months. How to get him out? 0
My relative is staying with his friend. His friend was arrested for drug trading (MDMA). My husband also got arrested, but he is not involved in trading. He is a first-time offender in drug use.
He got arrested two months ago and he is in Ajman, Jurf jail. He is asking us to give money to a lawyer to make the court order and release fast.
Is it possible?
How long will it take for his release and court order?
What will be the court order?
Feb 6, 2025
137
I purchased an apartment, but the previous landlord refuses to vacate. What to do? 0
Hello,
I bought an apartment, but the previous landlord is refusing to vacate it. The contract clearly states that the landlord should hand over the apartment on the day of the transfer.
Out of courtesy, I gave him three days to vacate so he could find a new place to stay, but the time has passed, and he is still refusing to vacate and hand it over.
What should I do in this case?
Feb 4, 2025
66
Can we give a salary certificate to a new hired employee before he starts to open a bank account? 0
Dear lawyers,
The new employee will start on June 1, 2025. However, he would like to open a new bank account in the UAE thus asking to provide the salary certificate mentioning his salary in AED and if possible not mentioning the start date.
Legally, can the company provide such a certificate?
Feb 4, 2025
114
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